Prior to joining Texas Woman’s University in August 2005, Dr. Cowart was an associate professor of teacher education and administration at the University of North Texas (UNT). Dr. Cowart developed and implemented the UNT – Cowart Professional Development School at L.P. Cowart Elementary in collaboration with the Dallas Independent School District. Serving as PDS Site Coordinator from 1992 to 2005, Dr. Cowart was in charge of more than 500 new teachers who were prepared through the UNT – Cowart PDS. Over 70% of the new teachers elected to stay in the Dallas ISD to teach and more than 90% actually entered the teaching profession. Former participants at the uniquely collaborative UNT – Cowart PDS have been named teachers of the year at their schools while others have received grants and have become administrators. Many continue to contribute to the teaching profession by serving as mentors to preservice teachers. In addition to her duties as PDS Site Coordinator, Dr. Cowart coordinated the graduate level Diversity Certificate Program within the UNT College of Education. Previously, Dr. Cowart served as a bilingual and ESL teacher for 14 years in the Dallas Independent School District.

Dr. Cowart’s scholarly interests include the effective, equitable teaching of all children, particularly those with ethnic, linguistic and academic diversity, the appropriate preparation of new teachers for real world schools, and the proper training of teachers to successfully address the needs and requirements of immigrant, refugee and homeless children. Dr. Cowart serves on the Board of Directors of Refugee Services of Texas. She is also a member of the Association of Teacher Educators and the National Association of Multicultural Education. Dr. Cowart is chairperson of the Bilingual/ESL Committee of the Federation of North Texas Area Universities. Having reviewed several texts, she is currently serving as managing editor of a monograph entitled Best Practices in Bilingual and ESL Education.